Housing for ISS students

Almost all on-campus ISS students are housed at the privately-owned Blindern Dormitory.

Blindern Dormitory, Photo: J.Hughes, UiO

Housing at Blindern Dormitory (on-campus)

For convenience, we use the term "on-campus" when we refer to Blindern Dormitory. The dormitory, however, is privately owed and operated; the University of Oslo does not own or operate this facility and is not obliged to provide any of the services found across the street on the Blindern campus.

If you requested "on-campus" housing, you will be housed at Blindern Dormitory, unless otherwise specified.

We have very few single rooms and they are reserved for elderly students or students with serious health issues. Any changes to roommate assignments must be approved by the Residential Managers. In May, on-campus students will be asked to complete an online questionnaire about their preferences so our dormitory staff can make room assignments and other arrangements prior to arrival. We are unable to accommodate dependents on campus.

Linen and bedding will be supplied, but residents are required to bring their own towels. Residents are expected to make their own beds and keep their quarters tidy. Rooms will be cleaned and bed linen changed by the Blindern staff.

The rooms are furnished with a bed for each resident, one desk, one chair, one table and one LAN-wall plug for internet access. Blindern Dormitory has limited WiFi access in the Student Lounge only. Each room has one LAN-network connection. Bring your own network cable (cat5/cat3) in order to connect to the Internet in your room. You should also bring your own headphones.

Mini-refrigerators and microwave ovens are not available. Every two rooms share a shower and sink. Toilets are at the end of the corridors.

Common rooms at Blindern are available for general use until midnight. Quiet hours are to be observed from 23:00 to 07:00 Sunday to Thursday and from 24:00 to 07:00 Friday and Saturday.

Opening hours BS reception

The reception at BS is open 24/7 from Friday June 19, 09:00 - Friday July 31, 12:00.

A limited number of CD players may be checked out for two hours at a time

A limited number of eye shades (if you have sleeping problems due to the brighter Norwegian summer nights!)

On the Dormitory grounds the gardens, a soccer field and a beach volleyball court are open to residents.

Blindern Dormitory was built in 1925 before buildings were constructed for universal accessibility. The Dormitory has many stairs and there is neither an elevator nor a permanent wheelchair ramp. A temporary ramp can be installed on request. The courtyard is covered in gravel, which can be difficult for students who have problems walking, or who are wheelchair users. The cafeteria and common areas are all located in the main building, but there are no lavatories on the ground floor. None of the lavatories in the Dormitory are wheelchair accessible. The ISS welcomes all students, but would like students to have a realistic picture of the limitations of the facilities at Blindern Dormitory. Contact us as soon as possible to find out what accommodations and services we do offer for students with disabilities.

Meals

The first meal served in the Blindern Dormitory dining room for early arrivals is lunch on Friday, 19 June, from 12:00 to 15:00. The last meal of the session is breakfast on Friday, 31 July, 07:00-10:00.

During the session three meals are served per weekday. Except for Saturday 20 June, Sunday 21 June, no lunches will be served on weekends or during the Long Weekend (09-12 July). Residents are encouraged to pack a lunch at breakfast. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day. The meal hours are:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner*

Weekdays

07:15-08:45

12:00-14:30

17:30-19:00

Saturday

07:00-10:00

-

17:30-19:00

Sunday

08:00-10:00

-

17:30-19:00

* Dinner is served fairly early due to the many evening events.

The food served is typically Norwegian. This means fish is served 2-3 times a week, pork products are often mixed with non-pork products, and fresh fruits are not readily available. The food, however, is always hearty and nutritious.

Special diets cannot be accommodated at the dormitory. Some adjustments in the menu are made to suit the international makeup of the ISS student body. For example, halal meat will be served at least once a week. The only alternative to the standard menu will be plain vegetarian food that can include eggs and dairy products.

Ramadan 2015. The month of Ramadan is due to start around 18 June 2015 and end 17 July 2015. The kitchen staff is, unfortunately, unable to offer special Ramadan meals (Iftar). People observing Ramadan by fasting, can register at time of dorm check in for special instructions for meals. In Norway, the days are long and the nights are short. Please plan your trip accordingly.

Off-campus housing

ISS is not in a position to assist students who want private housing. These are some useful websites:

Admission

Admission to the ISS does not automatically grant students the right to on-campus housing at the Blindern Dormitory. On-campus space is limited, and is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying for housing is done in the online application.

Parking

Parking permits for ISS students are available at the ISS reception.

Read the permit carefully and park only in the area(s) authorized by the permit: you will be responsible for any fines accrued.